Enough dialogue: We know what you’re up to (1964)

In response to Joseph Dobrian’s piece on progressives (“Enough dialogue. We know what you’re up to,” Dec. 10), we thought it’d be interesting to time travel. Back to 1964. Replace his use of the words “same-sex marriage” with “civil rights,” “blacks” and “interracial marriage.” Something like this:

2014, Joseph’s words: Same-sex marriage wasn’t enough. Next, you had to sue a small private bakery because the owner chose not to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. You could have gone elsewhere. But, no. You forced that old lady to bake that cake or close her business. That’s what it was about, wasn’t it? It was never about the cake. It was about forcing her (and all other business owners) to submit.

Time travel to 1964: Civil rights wasn’t enough. Next, you had to sue a small private bakery because the owner chose not to bake a wedding cake for a black couple. You could have gone elsewhere. But, no. You forced that old lady to bake that cake or close her business. That’s what it was about, wasn’t it? It was never about the cake....

Back to 2014, Joseph’s words: For instance, I had misgivings about same-sex marriage. The idea gave me the willies. But I figured, “Same-sex marriage doesn’t break my leg or pick my pocket. If I don’t like it, that’s my problem. I have no right to make it yours.”

1964: For instance, I had misgivings about civil rights. The idea gave me the willies. But I figured, “Civil rights doesn’t break my leg or pick my pocket. If I don’t like it, that’s my problem. I have no right to make it yours.”

2014, Joseph: Next you’ll try to force churches to perform same-sex marriages. Deny it all you like: You’re going to try it. Just to force the churches to submit.

1964: Next you’ll try to force churches to perform interracial marriages. Deny it all you like. You’re going to try it. Just to force the churches to submit.

2014, Joseph: And when we try to have a dialogue, we’re told “check your privilege.” We’re accused of “mansplaining.” We’re told that we hate gays/blacks/women/poor people. And if you run out of arguments, you can just yell “Tea Party,” or “Fox News” and jig around pretending you’ve won.